India men’s hockey team continues its winning campaign Tokyo Olympics They qualified for the semi-finals for the first time in four decades after defeating Great Britain 3–1 in the quarterfinals. Goals from Dilpreet Singh, Gurjan Singh and Hardik Singh spread over four quarters to help the eight-time Olympic champion advance to the last-four stage.
check out: Tokyo Olympic Highlights, Day 8
India started off aggressively and took a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute of pushback via a field goal from Dilpreet. This time another field goal from Gurjant helped them double their lead, but Britain drew 2-1 in the third quarter, leaving Samuel Ward behind.
With three minutes remaining and India still open to the competition, leading from a single goal, Hardik sealed the fate in his team’s favor with another field goal.
As time passed the Indians found their footing in the match and took the lead in the seventh minute through Dilpreet, who pushed the ball into the Great Britain goalkeeper after being fed by Simranjit Singh. It was Simranjit who created the opportunity after stealing the ball from a defender just outside the circle.
Two minutes from the first quarter, India’s custodian PR Sreejesh saved a fine reflex to deny Great Britain. The Indians did not let their rivals settle down and doubled their lead in the second quarter through Gurjant.
It was Hardik who created the opportunity by intercepting a pass just outside Great Britain ‘D’ and then sent the ball to an unmarked Gurjant, who kept a calm head to put the ball into the net through opposition goalkeeper Oliver Payne’s legs . Gurjant had another chance to extend the lead in the 35th minute, but Payne easily saved his reverse hit.
Back then, it was all Great Britain as they put up the numbers in search of goals. Leading by two goals, the Indians retreated and tried to defend the lead, but the move proved costly as Great Britain scored four back-to-back penalty corners after minutes from the end of the third quarter. carried, the last of which was placed backwards. Net by Ward.
With 15 minutes left and just one goal behind, Great Britain went on the offensive in the final quarter, throwing numbers into their attacks as the Indians struggled to control the attack. Great Britain were successful in their efforts as they earned three more penalty corners in the match, but undoubtedly Sreejesh rose to the occasion and made a save to put his side ahead.
India extended their lead against the race of the game in the 57th minute when Hardik scored with a rebound from a counter-attack after Great Britain goalkeeper Payne saved his opening shot.
India started their campaign with a win after beating New Zealand 3-2 in the first match of Pool A. Although a 1-7 loss to world No. 1 Australia raised alarm bells, the Manpreet Singh-led side beat Spain 3-0 to beat defending Olympic champions Argentina 3-1 and Japan. Defeated by 3-5 way. till the quarter finals.
India next face Rio Olympic runners-up and defending world champion Belgium in the semi-finals on August 3 – whose winner will advance to the final of the gold medal match. The two teams that lost in the semi-finals will clash for bronze on August 5.
with PTI inputs
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